Fakenham exploring ways to attract more runners after only 29 declarations

Fakenham officials are working with the BHA to explore methods of attracting more runners after just 29 horses were declared to run on Tuesday's six-race card.

That tally is ten below the track's average yield of 39 runners per meeting since the beginning of 2018 and clerk of the course David Hunter hopes a revamp in race planning will see those figures rise in future.

Hunter said: "It's disappointing, and a surprise to only see 29 declared, although we have a couple of specialist races on the card with a mares' handicap chase and a mares' handicap hurdle.

An average of 39 runners have been declared to run at Fakenham since January 2018Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"We've fared the storm of wet weather for the last couple of weeks far better than other parts of the country so the ground was that much better.

"We'll be working with the BHA next year to see how we can improve upon the number of runners."

Fakenham's lowest turnouts since January 2018

33 January 1, 2018

33 March 16, 2018

32 October 18, 2018

26 November 20, 2018

28 June 2, 2019

Despite expressing his frustration at Tuesday's turnout, Hunter highlighted that this fixture suffered a similar fate last season, with just 26 horses featuring, and that proposed changes are already in place for the new year.

"This meeting has struggled a bit in the past and at least we're starting with more runners than we actually had on this card last year," he said. "There was some warning that this was going to be the case with so few entries made a week ago.

"It's a concern but there was a certain element of 'writing on the wall' in advance.

Fakenham hosts six races on TuesdayCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We've had a thorough review of our races and some outside independent thoughts on the race planning side of things, and the BHA planners have been very understanding.

"Those changes will be coming into place on January 1, but it was too late to get the amendments made to this fixture because it had already been published in the programme book."

He added: "The number of runners we have at Fakenham is the most pressing issue we have as it is something that has decreased over the years, but I know we're not alone in that respect."

For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app